Brunswick Helps Put The Can-Do In Canada

Feb 06, 2012

Langford, British Columbia (pop. 25,000) and Lac Mégantic, Quebec (pop. 6,000) aren’t places you’d expect major bowling centers to debut. But thanks to clever partnerships between all three levels of Canadian government and some key help from Brunswick, that’s exactly what happened in 2011.

The City of Langford opened its Sportsplex in October, featuring a 20-lane bowling center, indoor NHL-size ice rink, and the Galloping Goose Grille. This 100,000 sq. ft ., $15.6 million project is “the best thing we’ve ever done in Langford,” according to mayor Stew Young. The project costs were split evenly by the Canadian federal government, the province of British Columbia and the city of Langford.

Meanwhile, clear on the opposite side of Canada, Centre Sportif Mégantic opened on the same day with the same innovative backing. This 100,000 sq. ft ., $32 million center – also featuring a state-of-the- art bowling center and indoor ice rink plus an Olympic pool, gym, restaurant and more – was paid for equally by the Canadian federal government, province of Quebec and town of Lac Mégantic.

Brunswick won contracts to equip both centers with full suites of the latest bowling equipment and furnishings, from GS-X™ pinsetters to Pro Lane™ to Striking Line™ furniture. Just as importantly, the two cities – which obviously have no experience running bowling centers – leaned on Brunswick for smart business advice. Lac Mégantic, for example, originally planned to lease out Centre Sportif’s operations. But after consulting with us and realizing how profitable the venture is likely to be, the city decided to keep it and all the revenues for itself.